Grape Solar GS-400-KIT-BT Installation guide

Brand: Grape Solar

Model: GS-400-KIT-BT

Type: Installation guide

www.GrapeSolar.com

Tel. 1-877-264-1014 (toll free), 1-541-349-9000

Document Version 200722

400 Watt Off-Grid Charging Kit

(GS-400-KIT-BT)

Quick Connect Guide

IMPORTANT: Please read GS-PWM-COMET-40 charge

controller owner’s manual and GS-STAR-200W connection

guide (included with products) before assembling kit.

For additional information about Grape Solar products:

email Support@GrapeSolar.com, or

call 1-877-264-1014 for live telephone support.

Check your order to make sure that all parts are included:

 GS-PWM-Comet 40 Charge Controller

 2x 20-Amp MC4 In-Line Fuse

 MC4 Branch Connector Set

 5-Foot Ring-lug Cable, Red

 5-Foot Ring-lug Cable, Black

 15-foot MC4 Cable

 2x GS-STAR-200W Solar Panel

Additional tools and equipment you will need:

◦Screwdriver– Philips Head ◦Wire Stripper/Cutter

◦12-Volt Deep-Cycle Battery Bank ◦Voltmeter (for Troubleshooting)

 





[diagrams not to scale]







To estimate how much average monthly

power this system should produce in your

area, please use the PV Watts Calculator

found at:

https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/

This System Size= 0.4 kW DC

(only applicable for zip codes in the U.S.A.)



[The Quick Connect Guide diagrams are not to scale.]

GS-400-KIT-BT PHOTOVOLTAIC

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200722

www.GrapeSolar.com

Tel. 1-877-264-1014 (toll free), 1-541-349-9000

Document Version 200722

Using wire cutters, snip the 10-gauge, 15ft.

MC4 extension cable  into two equal halves

(7.5ft each.) On the cut ends, strip off ¼-inch of

insulation, revealing bare wire.

Connect the single-input side of each Branch Con-

nector  to the compatible MC4 ends of the halved

cable . On the branch connector of the “female”

MC4 ends, connect both MC4 In-line Fuses .



Mount the solar panels  so that they are facing due South at approximately the same angle as your latitude.

The ideal area has full sun and no shading. If the following connections are made during daylight, cover the

panels with cardboard, cloth, or a similar opaque material so that the panel does not output power.

Connect the bare wire end of the red battery cable  to

the “+ BATTERY” terminal on the bottom of the charge

controller . Connect the bare wire end of the 5-foot

black cable  to the “- BATTERY” terminal. A Phillips

head screwdriver can be used to loosen and tighten the

screw clamps onto the wires.

Attach the ring lug end of the red cable  to the positive

terminal of a 12V deep cycle battery. Attach the ring lug

end of the black cables  to the negative terminal of the

battery.

The charge controller  display screen will be visible if

the battery has sufficient charge. If the display screen is

not visible, the battery must be charged from an another

source. The charge controller, which regulates solar

power flow to the battery, is powered by the battery.

 



*12V deep cycle battery

is not included with kit



 

“male” cable end

“female” cable end



GS-400-KIT-BT PHOTOVOLTAIC

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200722

www.GrapeSolar.com

Tel. 1-877-264-1014 (toll free), 1-541-349-9000

Document Version 200722

Connect the positive panel cables  to the “female” fuse ends  from the previous connections. (TIP: to help

distinguish the two bare wire ends, place a piece of tape on this bare wire end  deriving from this positive solar

output.)

Connect the negative panel cables  to the “male” branch connector ends  of the other MC4 cable half .

Connect the positive bare wire end  to the “+” PV input of the charge controller .

Connect the negative bare wire end  to the “-” PV input of the charge controller .

Remove the panel covering. In good sunlight, the

charge controller’s  ”BAT %” should increase to

100%. When the controller is set to “LOAD ON,”

the system will provide power through the load

control output or through the USB port.













*12V load device

is not included

with kit



GS-400-KIT-BT PHOTOVOLTAIC

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200722

DISCLAIMER:

Installations of this kit could be subject to national and local building and electrical codes. Installers should have adequate knowledge of

national and local code to ensure the installation passes inspection by the local electric authority.

Proper fuses or breakers should be used to comply with all local and national codes. Contact Grape Solar for specific recommendations.

All batteries used for this system should be identical. Do not mix battery types or sizes. Do not mix old batteries with new batteries.

Performance and charging anomalies can occur if types, sizes, or age of batteries are not identical.

Grape Solar does not warrant the accuracy, sufficiency, or suitability to all customers of any technical or other information provided in

product manuals. Grape Solar does not claim any responsibility or liability for losses, damages, costs or other expenses whether special,

indirect, consequential or incidental, which might arise out of the use of such information.